“Troubadour finds Strait turning introspective, getting softer and mellower, perhaps even slightly melancholy, yet it’s a comforting melancholy, as the album never wallows in sadness — there are plenty of Texas 2-steps, breezy mid-tempo tunes, and love songs to temper the blue moments here. Nevertheless, Strait is the troubadour of the title, a musician who bears the scars of the road and is a richer singer for it.”–All Music Guide